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All-Star welcome for Verlander

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Justin Verlander used his fingers in this trip to Philadelphia simply to tip his cap toward applauding All-Star Game fans. He once playfully flipped off Phillies fans when his Houston Astros were in Philadelphia for the 2022 World Series. There was only mutual respect in this game. The 43-year-old Verlander was one of the few All-Stars on Tuesday night to receive a warm ovation in Philadelphia from a crowd that reveled in jeering just about any player who was not in a Phillies uniform. Verlander is set to retire at the end of the season to cap a career that ...

Major leaguers eye 2028 Olympics

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Discussions for major leaguers to play in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics baseball tournament remain in the early stages, with players used to top hotels wanting to be assured of accommodations. Major League Baseball has envisioned an extended 11-day All-Star break. The last regular-season games before the break would be on July 9, followed by the All-Star Game on July 11, likely at San Francisco, and the Olympic tournament at Dodger Stadium from July 13-19. The season would resume July 21. "In general our players want to play in the Olympics. They're patriotic, and ...

Union campaigns against salary cap

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The head of baseball's players' union chastised management on Tuesday for its advertising campaign in support of a salary cap while Commissioner Rob Manfred maintained the proposal was developed in response to fans. Bruce Meyer, who took over when Tony Clark was forced out in February, said the sport was thriving despite assertions by Major League Baseball that massive change is needed. "I have watched over the last few years the owners, the commissioner's office, try to convince fans, the consumers of their product, that the product is broken," Meyer said ahead ...

Two stars collide in World Cup semifinal

ATLANTA (AP) — It's England vs. Argentina in the World Cup semifinals. It's also Lionel Messi vs. Jude Bellingham. The battle of the two No. 10s could be pivotal to deciding this afternoon's match in Atlanta. "We know how good Messi is," England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said of the Argentina great, whose enduring brilliance has been on show again even at the age of 39. Messi and Bellingham have been inspirational in their teams' respective runs to the final four. And Wednesday's match may well be determined by which one has the biggest say on the day. Messi is playing England ...

SPORTS BRIEFING

A SPAIN SHUTOUT ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón sprinted off his line to beat a charging Kylian Mbappé to the ball with France desperately seeking a goal in the World Cup semifinals. While Simón managed to get there first and head the ball away, he suddenly had the World Cup's co-scoring leader between him and the net with France forward Desire Doue trying to get control of the ball. Even in that rare moment of chaos late in the match, the structured Spanish defense and the standout keeper again didn't allow a goal. Spain ended up beating France 2-0 on ...

Lines already drawn in salary cap battle

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Paul Skenes, Juan Soto and Bryce Harper are among baseball's All-Stars who say players will never agree to a salary cap but maintain there's plenty of time to avoid a conflict that could shorten the 2027 season. "Both sides kind of have their line that they're not going ...